*Available in OWC 1

The Wine Advocate | RP 88
Published: Dec 20, 1993

There has been a total reversal of the winemaking philosophy at Bouchard Pere et Fils. This is one of the wealthiest firms in France, as well as the largest landowner of premier and grand crus in Burgundy. For years their wines, while commercially acceptable, were uninspiring. Yields were not limited, excessive amounts of SO2 were employed, the wines were processed and racked excessively, and, most damaging, they were aggressively filtered, often with sterile micropore filters. Inspired by the exceptional success enjoyed by such negociant firms as Faiveley and Louis Jadot (they had stopped filtering all of their premier and grand crus by 1988, opting for a minimal interventionist process in their winemaking), Paul Bouchard and his son Jean-Francois have begun to turn out their finest wines since the forties and fifties. The wines are deeper-colored and noticeably more concentrated. All the premier crus and grand crus are bottled with minimal additions of SO2, and are not filtered. Consequently, as the notes and scores reveal, there has been a significant leap in quality.

The 1990 Volnay-Caillerets-Ancienne Cuvee Carnot is made in a different style. From its huge bouquet of sweet black fruits, spices, and herbs, to its excellent medium to full-bodied richness, layers of fruit, and deeply etched flavors, this rich, powerful, concentrated wine begs for attention. The amount of fruit hides lofty tannin levels. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years.

Kudos to Bouchard Pere et Fils for recognizing that improvements had to be made, and for having the courage to implement them. Various importers. Drink Date:
1993 - 2008

Bouchard-pereetfils.com

T A S T I N G
TASTING NOTE: Exquisite fruit and spice aromas on the nose. On the palate, perfect harmony between structure and elegance: rich, complex and voluptuous. Very good ageing potential.
FOOD/WINE PAIRING: Lamb, duck, light game.
SERVING TEMPERATURE: Between 170C to 18C
AGEING POTENTIAL: 7 to 10 years and more

K N O W - H O W
HARVEST: manual, in small cases of 13 kg. Careful manual sorting of each grape.
VINIFICATION: Following total or partial destemming on the vintage, fermentation in small containers, gentle pressing ensure optimal vinification. Depending on the profile of the vintage, vatting lasts 15 to 20 days.
MATURING: 12 to 14 months in French oak, with 30 to 40% new oak.
AGEING: The cellars of the Bastions of the ancient Ch?teau de Beaune offer natural ambient conditions that are perfectly adapted to ageing the Premiers Crus.

V I N E Y A R D
GRAPE VARIETY: Pinot Noir
EXPOSITION: Southeast
SOIL OF THE APPELATION: Thin layers of limestone and clay on a cracked rocky table-land
TOTAL SURFACE OF THE APPELATION IN PRODUCTION:14.33 hectares
DOMAIN SURFACE IN PRODUCTION: 3.76 hectares